School Committee Elections.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 4070, 28 April 1886, Page 2

School Committee Elections.

TIMARU.

The meeting of householders at the Main School, fast night, was very poorly i attended, and Hia Worship the Mayor was chosen as Chairman. The Rev. Mr Gillies pointed ont that the Act provided that the election should take place in the fourth Monday in the month, and be was of opinion that anything they might do would be [invalid. The Chairman did not think that the objection was a fatal one, and after some discussion it was decided to proceed with the business. The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed, and the following report was adopted “Your Committee have pleasure in,

submitting their Annual report to the 31at March, Owing to an amendment of the Education Act, passed last session of Parliament, School Committees were entitled to hold office until the above date, instead of 31st December as hitherto.

“ Meetings.—During the Committee’s term of office they held in all 25 meetings. Of these Mr Ingram attended 24, Mr Jones 21, Mr Hill 21, Mr Bnndesen 18, Mr Jackson 18, Rev. Mr Gillies 17, Mr Bruce 12, and Mr Rowley 9. “ Resignations and appointments.— In November last Mr Bruce resigned bis seat on the Committee, and Mr Rowley, who stood next highest of the candidates voted for at the last election was elected to fill the vacancy. “ Teaching staff.—During your committee’s term of office there have been almost a complete change in the teaching staff. Mr Scott, late Head Master, having resigned that position, be has been succeeded by Mr Wood, who took charge of the school on the 11th May. The position of second master, rendered vacant by the resignation of Mr Ligertwood has been filled by Mr Wake, and that of third master, tendered vacant by the appointment of Mr Muller to the Wash dyke School, has been filled by Mr Meagher, who took charge of bis department on the Ist March last. In the female side of the school the position of second mistress, rendered vacant by the resignation of Miss Gooder, which position has been _ filled by the appointment O'f Miss Pearson ; Miss Pearson’s position has been filled by the appointment of Miss Hooper; and the place vacated by Miss Knight has been filled by the appointment of Miss Rowley. Notwithstanding the many changes in the teaching staff, the work of the school has progressed satisfactorily, as evidenced by the Inspector's report, and under the present staff there is every prospect of the school reaching a high state of efficiency. “ Improvements and Expenditure.— Aided by the Borough Council’s labourers yonr committee expended a considerable sum in forming, shingling, and improving the roads and walks in the grounds of the Main and Side Schools ,* the benefit of which will be more especially appreciated daring the approaching winter. “ Compulsory clauses —Your committee have from time to time been compelled to ask the police to serve notices on the parents and guardians of children irregular in attendance at school, which has in many cases bad a beneficial resnlt.

“ Financial Notwithstanding the short allowance mode by the Board, of Education for incidental expenses, the committee closed the year of 31st December, 1886, with a credit balance of £2 4s. and the 81st of March with a credit balance of £2 IBs,

“Prize fund.-Yonr committee,through the patronage of a liberal public, were enabled by an entertainment given by tbe pupils attending the main and side schools in the Theatre Royal to provide a prize fund oat of which books were awarded to the deserving children in all the standards. After defraying all other expenses in connection therewith, they bare a credit balance of £1 7s 3d. The election of a new Committee was tfapn proceeded with and the following gentlemen were nominsted ;—Rev. W. Gillies, Messrs Mcllroy, J. Hill, W. M. Sims, W. Ingram, J. Hall, T. G. Rowley, Edward Jones, Anthony Mills. The Bev. W. Gillies withdrew his name and the polling was then taken, with the following result Mr Ingram 75 Mr Eowley 43 Mr Mills 42 Mr Hill 38 Mr Mcllroy ... ... 31 Mr Hall 19 Mr Sims 13 Mr Jones 11 The first seven were declared duly elected.

A meeting of the new Committee was afterwards held, and Mr J. Hill was elected Chairman. The other business transacted was of a routine character.